Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-10-01
AN OCEAN RACE.

In tina spring Of 8S or 6g, I forget which
now, was mate Of the schooner Wiilngton
279 tons register in the Bermuda trade Al
that time our vessel was comparatively new.
having oniy beeu ia cen,rni, sion about year
and was considerably ahead of anything els
in that trade in the way OK speed. We had .
first rate captain and a good crew, whoet
personnel was Superior to tile majority q
coaster crews, ALSO we were better manned
for our size than most of those vessels are,
and our owners were liberal ia everything
conducive TO the comfort of the n,e,L The
Wilmington had the record OF the fastest pas
sage from Bermuda, and we were all proud
Of our beautiful schooner.
During the winter sundry Iumors were
afloat OF vessel building in Boston for q
rival firm OF produce dealers, OF about our
tonnage, and, as II was supposed, she was to
be put on the lire at the opening Of the sea-
son of which am writing.
On arriving at New York from our first
trip of the year, we heard that the 1nvincible
lfcr 50 had her owners named heit had ar.
rived from Boston, been put in commission
and cleared for Bermuda the day previous.
She was apparently beauty and our cap
tain was very anxious to try conclusions
with her, but somehow 1t seemed difficult
matter to get trial, and during tie busy
season ed rivalry had to give way to the
pressure Of business.
However, patient waiting was at length re-
warded, and, enc day after we hal finished
unloading and were awaiting orders, tue
skipper came aboard with his weather beaten
face all aglow with excitement AWeve got
chance 20 show our mettle at last Joe, be
said, as he Joined me Gu the deck. Smith e.
Co four owners) have heard good deal Of
blowing about that new craft and asked my
advice about putting up $1,000 or 5000 ON
the Wilmington. told them that l had not
tried her against the Invincible at all yet,
but, from what had seen of the latter, /
thought we could win his money for him.
Anyway we would try mighty hard. So he
has taken bet Of Browns ths Invincible's
owner OF $4,000 for race from our pier,
around Bermuda and back, the start b take
place week today"
This was short notice to prepare for O race
with vessel Just off the stocks and clean be-
Tow the water as a new pin. Nevertheless,
we set to work with will, AMI that very
evening had her hauled up and gang Of
men cleaning her botsom, the crew, under
my directions, seeing to her rigging and
EparS
Monday was the day fixed for the start
and on Saturday at noon we tied up al
Smiths pier ready and anxious for Monday
20 come.
A good tweniy-four hours rest after th,
exertions Of the week prepared the crew FOL
enything, aud on the call for "all hands" il
Che nloririNg as fine and sailor like looking
lot OF men tIod the deck as ever manned .
coaster OF our tonnage.
The start was to lie by powder fash from
opposite our pier in the North river at i
o'clock a. m, 20 Is TO get the ebb tide through
Ire Earrows- By $50 both vessels wen
maneuvering about The line for start
standing back and forth across the river un
der al their canvas, the breeze being Of fni
strength from the south. The Invincible wa
a beautiful craft 10 look at, and had m,
doutls a. 10 our victory TOR win we musi